Ditching-level



No. 6|6,9l2. Patented Jan. 3, I899.

' S. E. GARNER.

DITOHING LEVEL.

(Application filed June 7, 1898.)

(No Model.)

1 6%5uweutoz Q/vil'neoaes I W q QA/Ml/J UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN E. GARNER, OF POWDERLY, TEXAS.

DITCHlNG-LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,912, dated January 3, 1899. 1

Application filed $11118 71 1898. Serial NO- 682,841 (N0 model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN E. GARNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Powderly, in the county of Lamar. and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ditching-Levels; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in levels, and especially to a plumb-level for use in construction of ditches, 850.; and it is the object of this invention to produce a level which may be compactly folded when not in use or extended and held in such adjusted position when ready for use.

More specifically the invention consists of a rectangular frame between which .on a

cross-strip is designed to be hung a plumbline, the frame having pivoted to its opposite upper corners folding braces, which are connected at their lower ends to arms which are adapted to be held to the lower end of the rectangular frame, when the instrument is in readiness for use.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists, fur ther, in the novel construction, combination, and. adaptation of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and then specifically defined in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which drawings similar letters of reference marked thereon indicate like parts throughout both views, in which Figure l is a perspective view of my improved plumb-level opened for use. Fig. 2 is a view showing the level folded.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the rectangular frame, made up of two longitudinal strips fastened together at their ends with ference with each other, as illustrated in the drawings. Mounted on a cross-piece D, between the longitudinal strips of the said rectangular frame, is the plumb-wire E, which carries at its lower end the weight E. On a second cross-piece F, a slight distance below the cross-piece D, is an. adjustable slide G, mounted on the wire H, and its lower end is held frictionally against the bevel-surface of the cross-piece F. By moving the slide on the wire the said slide may be brought so as to register with a scale on the cross-piece F to indicate the pitch at which the level-frame is to be held.

On the lower cross-piece A is a pin K, over which registering recesses a in the ends of the strips C engage when the frame is opened for use, and a hook M, fastened to the lower cross-piece A, is adapted to engage in one of the ends of the strips 0 to hold the strips in alinement, as illustrated in the drawings.

WVhen it is desired to fold the instrument, the hook is released from the braces, the strips 0 folded, and the side strips swung in, as shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a plumb-level, the combination with the rectangular frame, the braces'pivoted to ears on said frame, the strips O pivoted to the lower ends of the braces, theinner ends of the strips pivoted together and recessed, a pin over which the recessed ends of the strips are designed to engage, and the hook carried by the frame and adapted to engage withone of the strips 0, as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN E. GARNER.

Witnesses J. R. SEoRnsr, J M. DUFF. 

